Transforming Seismic Uncertainties to Reservoir

Parameters: An Integrated Approach to

Characterising A Carbonate Reef Complex
Muhammad Ferdaos Bin Mostapa1, Alexander Tarang Patrick 1, Sy
M Awalnur Sy Mohamed1, Khairul Ezee Azreen B M Khir1, Suhaila
Wahib1
1
PETRONAS Carigali Sdn Bhd, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
June 2016

Introduction
The Central Luconia Province, offshore Sarawak, is one of the world’s largest reefal
carbonate depositional complexes, with over 200 known build-ups of Oligocene
and Miocene age (Cycle II and Cycle IV), created by coral reefs growing on horst
block structures. In general, geological models are an essential part of reservoir
studies, in which Gross Rock Volume (GRV) and porosity are main key inputs in
resource estimation and static model for any field to be developed.
Gross Rock Volume (GRV) is often observed to be a first-order sensitivity in
resource estimation. However, time surface interpretation is always a challenge
to the seismic interpreter, where uncertainty may remain on talus and internal
layer of carbonate build-up.
In addition, porosity is a significantly difficult property to predict in subsurface
reservoir characterisation. The high uncertainty in porosity estimation is mainly
due to diagenesis, which alters the pore structure, texture and composition of the
rock, affecting pore size and shape. In this paper, we will discuss a case study
where a quantitative seismic technique has been applied to reduce the uncertainty
in reservoir characterisation.

3D full azimuthal broadband for better subsurface image

Broad bandwidth acquisition and processing techniques combined with low
frequency content of the seismic data are expected to enable higher resolution of
seismic events as well as better identification of geological boundaries and subtle
changes within subsurface layers. Recently, broadband processing, specifically de-
ghosting of conventional streamer data, has managed to improve the bandwidth
and imaging of legacy data, especially for deeper targets. The method has been
proven to be successful in extending the seismic bandwidth at both low and high
sides of the frequency spectrum.

Results: comparison between legacy and broadband data

Recent seismic has produced better subsurface images that feature a more
effective interpretation of the subsurface geology. For instance, the boundary
between Cycle II carbonates was hardly interpretable using legacy seismic, but it
has however become better identified using broadband seismic. Most of all, top
and base of Cycle II carbonate (i.e. the main reservoir) and its internal layers can
now be interpreted more accurately (Figure 1). This reduces the uncertainties in

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seismic interpretation and has a direct impact on volumetrics (Yusoff A.I et al,
2015).

Figure 1: Seismic data comparison between 3 dataset; 2014 3D full azimuth

broadband seismic shows significant improvement of frequency content and
seismic continuity.

Case Study: Application in Carbonate reservoir characterisation

In this case study from Central Luconia Province, from legacy seismic data,
internal layers in the carbonate body could not be interpreted due to the poor
subsurface image. However, by using the recent broadband seismic data
combined with a seismic inversion technique, internal layers can be resolved
within the carbonate interval (Figure 2). Furthermore, seismic inversion results
have been able to delineate significant variations in porosity and highlight the
cyclical patterns within the carbonate interval.

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Figure 2: Seismic Inversion workflow of carbonate reservoir.

Horizon interpretation was divided into four layers of equal thickness. The seismic
pattern of each internal layer was extracted in acoustic impedance, with the
impedance volume now depicting internal layer properties of the carbonate instead
of the reflectivity contrast at layer boundaries. In general, high impedance streaks
have less favourable properties in comparison to the surrounding low impedance
layers which have better reservoir characteristics. Two main results have been
delivered:
1) An acoustic impedance volume provided better refinement of top of
carbonate and internal stratigraphic layering of the carbonate build-up.
2) A porosity cube was produced with reasonable correlation to acoustic
impedance and was used as input for subsequent reservoir characterization
and modelling work.

Conclusion
Accurate prediction of reservoir quality is, and will continue to be, a key challenge
for hydrocarbon exploration and development. Thus, broad bandwidth and rich
low frequency content seismic data have favorably contributed into better
subsurface imaging. In addition, seismic inversion can be a valuable tool for
reservoir characterisation prior to field development with improved results of
reservoir characterisation. The static reservoir model has significantly benefited
from the understanding of the distribution of porosity in the reservoir zones
generated by the seismic inversion study, which can be a key success factor for
future field development and well target optimisation (Figure 3).

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Figure 3: High correlation shows between well porosity and Inverted porosity.
Seismic Inversion of carbonate reservoir. This acoustic impedance- porosity
transform allows characterizing carbonate reservoir heterogeneity.

Acknowledgement
We would like to thank PETRONAS Managements for allowing us to share the
results.

References
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Management Symposium.2015.
Von Hartmann, Hartwig; Buness, Hermann; Krawczyk, Charlotte M.; Schulz, Rüdiger.201
2. 3-D seismic analysis of a carbonate platform in the Molasse Basin - reef distribution and
internal separation with seismic attributes Tectonophysics, 572, 16

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